True freshman safety Koi Perich is one reason why Minnesota has a top-10 passing defense. Perich was a 4-star recruit and the nation’s No. 5 overall safety from the class of 2024.

He’s been a consistent starter in October and had some impressive numbers in the Gophers’ last three games. His best performance came during Minnesota’s 24-17 upset victory over USC. Perich finished with six total tackles, including five solo stops and a forced fumble. He also had the game-ending interception of Miller Moss late in the fourth quarter.

Since that game, he has only gotten more productive week in and week out. He had two interceptions during Minnesota’s 21-17 win over UCLA on Oct. 12. In Minnesota’s 48-23 victory over Maryland last week, he had three total tackles along with an interception.

Perich also took a snap on offense against Maryland. We potentially could see more of the talented freshman on that side of the ball, too.

“I don’t want to put too much on his plate, but whatever we’ve put on his plate, he’s been fine,” Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said earlier this week, as his team prepares to play at Illinois on Saturday. “He’s a competitor and an athlete and if we can add another athlete on offense—and I am not saying he’s gonna play 30, 40 snaps, but if we can find a way to get 8-10 snaps with him doing different things, then we’re definitely gonna highlight that.”